UFC sees delays in arrival in Philippines, Russia

The UFC’s rapid international expansion has hit a snag in at least two countries, according to UFC President Dana White.

A season of “The Ultimate Fighter” set to film in the Philippines is on hold, as is a live event to be held in Russia, the executive said following this past Saturday’s UFC 173.

“Philippines should have been done already, but it’s not,” said White. “Russia’s a tougher place to navigate, especially now.”

In previous interviews, White was more confident in the promotion’s prospects in the countries. Several times he has announced plans to hold an event in the Philippines as well as an international season of “TUF.” In 2011, the country was targeted as the first host of the long-running reality series.

The UFC boasts several fighters with Filipino heritage, including veteran light heavyweight Brandon Vera and middleweight Mark Munoz, who has been rumored for a headlining spot if the promotion holds an event in the Philippines.

As recently as this past January, White said Russia would host its first event this year followed by another international edition of “The Ultimate Fighter.” That, however, was before political turmoil brought by the country’s actions in Ukraine and Crimea, which have brought sanctions by the U.S. government.

While there are more Russian-speaking fighters in the UFC than ever, their heritage is not specifically Russian, as one veteran coach told MMAjunkie. The country’s most notable MMA fighter is the retired Fedor Emelianenko, who has embarked on a political career.

White did not specifically elaborate on the reasons why the promotion has been unable to operate in the Philippines or Russia, but other international markets have opened in the meantime.

This past month, the UFC announced its first event to take place in Mexico, which the promotion has long coveted as a potentially lucrative market. “The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America” is also underway and will debut in August.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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